Rebirth of a Neighbourhood
Sheung Wan’s renaissance continues as Blake’s moves in with TwoTwoSix
| Text : Elizabeth Kerr |
Near the end of Hollywood Road, across from Hollywood Road Park in deepest darkest Sheung Wan sits a corner block recently purchased by history-friendly developer Blake’s. The park usually hosts groups of gossiping elderly men, and the address will sit a stone’s throw from any number of dried seafood vendors. Artsy types rub shoulders with OLs in the local supermarket; swanky design studios occupy the same buildings as foot massage parlours; and hidden local watering holes abut cha siu diners. It all smells really unique too.
The building in question is being gutted as we speak in preparation for the Ilse Crawford-designed makeover and will eventually be five — yes only five — luxury apartments. Luxury in this case equates with a spaciousness that extends to the street.
Just a few years ago, 226 Hollywood Road was in no man’s land, sitting just west of perpetually spreading SoHo; only Para/Site ArtSpace held any cultural currency. Now, Cat Street Gallery, Lomography Gallery, Jia’s Italian bistro 208 Duecento Otto, Ovolo (Kush) serviced apartments and Magnolia private kitchen crowd the corner. In a sign that Sheung Wan has truly reached hip status, a 7-Eleven finally opened and the ParknShop remodelled itself into International. Now area residents can pluck chorizo, eggplant pesto, and kimchi off the shelves without having to venture to Central.
TwoTwoSix’s plans call for a complete redesign of the existing building that will “revive street-level sociability and neighbourhood living.” Instead of tearing down the existing structure, Blake’s Executive Directors Darrin Woo and Alan Lo are taking advantage of the 1960s and ‘70s building codes to create only five units they think will attract, funky, like-minded owner-occupiers. The jewel in the crown will be the top floor suite, which will include the finished roof for personal use. British designer Crawford — known best for her work on London’s Babbington House, New York’s Soho House and as founder of Elle Décor — was tapped because of her sensual, social, humanistic approach to design and space, and because, “Our thinking on the site, the idea of creating something new but not exactly, called for [design] that reacts to the contemporary. That reacts to today’s context but yet is quite timeless. It had to respond to history and the existing fabric of the neighbourhood. We shared the same ideas [with Ilse]. And I love her details; it’s what makes all the difference,” says Lo.
TwoTwoSix is Blake’s first residential development, but it isn’t Woo and Lo’s first foray into Sheung Wan — or even into the past. They generated some buzz for their work on The Pawn in Wanchai and for opening The Press Room and Classified (under the auspices of a sister F&B company) also on Hollywood, and Woo and Lo have a keen interest in recapturing some of the Hong Kong charm that’s falling victim to the wrecking ball. “As you know it’s one of the few remaining districts that still has character and history. We were sort of trying to do everything we could, with limited financial resources, to prevent it from becoming another SoHo. I think that long-term vision, that started from day one, was to introduce nothing but quality and artisan to the neighbourhood,” Lo explains, as Woo chirps in with a succinct, “It’s got a very rich heritage and culture that you don’t get in Mid-levels.”
The elephant in the room is just what kind of impact TwoTwoSix will have on the district. Hong Kong is nothing if not trend-driven, and once one developer moves into a neighbourhood and finds success others quickly follow. That puts of Sheung Wan’s distinctive appeal — its lived-in, arty, unpretentious authenticity — at risk. Do Woo and Lo feel they’re potentially shooting themselves in the proverbial foot? Do they worry that they’re going to be part of the gentrifying of the neighbourhood that will drive away the defining elements that can no longer afford such tony environs? Lo isn’t worried. “I don’t think that’s entirely true. You only get so many buildings that are single-owned that allows for a more holistic approach to head-to-toe renewal. At the end of the day the area is going to retain that historic, Chinese tenement quality. [Unless] some big developer comes in and says ‘I’m going to buy everyone out and build some humongous development’ most of the properties in the area are going to retain that ‘60s/’70s quality.” Both feel their target buyers will have an innate appreciation for all that does not glitter. “This product is not going to be for everyone. If you’re paying that kind of money you can buy some serious apartment in Mid-levels, but we’re looking for the five people who appreciate the fact you’re in an interesting context,” Lo states.
Woo agrees. “The level we’re operating at won’t inspire landlords in the area to raise rents unless they decide to put up their own buildings. A lot of these buildings are strata title owned so even collectively coming together to agree to sell is very tough. We got lucky. Even if this gentrification process continues it would take a lot of time,” he reasons. Neither believes that any of the so-called “big players” are particularly enamoured with the district. “We’re a single project, we genuinely like the area and that’s what makes us special,” Woo concludes.
TwoTwoSix is expected to be ready by the end of the year, but it will be a while before final prices (expected to fall in line with other developments in the area) or an on-sale date are fixed. Until then, Woo and Lo will plug away with their goal of bringing back neighbourhood living. Woo sums it up best when he says, “Our philosophy doesn’t limit us to Sheung Wan. It could be another area, or another city. The philosophy behind the company is really looking at neighbourhoods and taking context into consideration to come up with something people will enjoy living in.”
Sqaurefoot Property ID
www.squarefoot.com.hk/property/2170073
Landmark Asia Realty
Enquiry Hotline
Tel: 2506 1008 / 3571 9122
Property Listings and Stories via our International Network
|
